If the Xie family hadn't been so powerful and influential, Pei Zhi would have actually tried to marry into the Xie family.

Judging from Madam Xie's appearance, she shouldn't be a mean-spirited mother-in-law.

Pei Zhi finished her meal slowly and deliberately. Madam Xie also returned from the old man's courtyard, her eyes still red, as if she had been crying.

When Madam Xie saw Pei Zhi this time, she was less polite.

"Your Highness is very kind. After seeing the portrait, the old man has come to his senses and is no longer as confused as before."

Madam Xie hadn't expected that she was just trying it out.

It actually worked!

When the old man saw the portrait, he was stunned at first, then silently took the painting, gently stroked the person in the painting, and shed two lines of tears.

Everyone present at the time shed tears.

Pei Zhi never expected that it would actually work.

"If it's useful, then my trip wasn't a complete waste."

Madam Xie hurriedly said, "The Xie family has prepared a small gift, and we hope that the princess will accept it."

Pei Zhi glanced at them and saw that most of the items were books, paintings, and jewelry, so she didn't refuse.

It was getting late, and Pei Zhi was about to take her leave when she saw a man with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes walking over.

Xie Qi first bowed to Pei Zhi, and then bowed to his own mother.

“My grandfather knew that the painting was done by the princess, and he ordered me to give this to the princess as a token of my gratitude.” Xie Qi presented the jade pendant with both hands.

Pei Zhi glanced at the dragon-patterned jade pendant and had a rough idea of ​​what was going on.

Pei Zhi took the jade pendant. "This jade pendant looks familiar. I remember that my father had a similar one."

Madam Xie quickly explained, "This jade pendant was bestowed upon the old master by the late emperor. Now, the old master is grateful for the princess's great kindness, and after all the twists and turns, it has returned to the hands of the royal family."

Pei Zhi hurriedly replied politely, "Grandpa Xie is currently unwell. I will visit him again when I have the opportunity in the future."

Everyone could tell that this was just a polite remark.

After some polite exchanges, Madam Xie personally escorted Pei Zhi out of the mansion.

Today, the old man came over for Qingming Festival and was no longer as confused as before, which put a great weight off Madam Xie's heart.

Why are you still here?

“Grandfather locked himself and the painting in the room and told us not to disturb him.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Xie smiled and said, "It seems that inviting the princess was the right decision."

Xie Qi asked curiously, "How come I don't remember there being a princess in the palace with such superb skills?"

Madam Xie teased, "You're always being pestered by Princess Dekang. You avoid the word 'princess' like the plague. How could you possibly have the mind to learn about these things?"

Xie Qi was called out by his mother, and he felt a little helpless.

"Mother, please stop making fun of me."

After laughing, Madam Xie straightened her expression and said, "The princess is Consort Lin's daughter. She is usually very knowledgeable and unassuming. If it weren't for the fact that the princess showed off her skills at the Empress's birthday banquet that day, we really wouldn't have known that such a princess existed."

Xie Qi said thoughtfully, "I see."

"Alright, since you're here today, I also have something important to tell you."

Xie Qi asked, "What is it?"

“You’re not young anymore. In an ordinary family, someone your age would already have two children.”

Xie Qi is already twenty-one years old this year. Which man of Xie Qi's age is not married?

Xie Qi was truly delayed.

Dekang kept pestering Xie Qi, making Madam Xie afraid to arrange a marriage for Xie Qi.

If word gets out, wouldn't it make it seem like the Xie family dislikes the princess?

Madam Xie could only say that she went to a temple to find a wise man who had predicted Xie Qi's fate, and that he should marry a few years later, otherwise a great disaster would surely follow.

"Now that Dekang is married, I think it's time to find you a husband."

The Xie family has an ancestral rule that a man can only take a concubine after he turns thirty.

He's thirty years old now, and his wife should already have a large family.

If a couple has a good relationship, they naturally won't take a concubine; if they can't get along, taking a concubine isn't a big deal.

Xie Qi's situation was complicated. He was forced by the princess to marry, and because of ancestral rules, he could not take a concubine. He also did not have a single woman to serve him.

Madam Xie felt sorry for her son, but she also knew that the Xie family was the most important thing.

"Your mother is thinking of settling your marriage as soon as possible, so that things don't get complicated."

Xie Qi understood his mother's meaning, "Everything will be arranged by Mother."

Madam Xie smiled and said, "Then I will go and find a few girls, and then you can choose for yourself."

After thinking for a moment, Madam Xie added, "When choosing a wife for you, her family background won't be too prestigious."

The rest was left unsaid by Madam Xie.

"Don't worry, Mother. I understand. As long as a person's character is good, nothing else matters."

With the Xie family's roots firmly established here, they naturally wouldn't seek marriage alliances with those powerful and wealthy families.

Madam Xie sighed. Looking at her handsome and refined son, she felt truly sorry for him.

Previously, because of Princess Dekang, things were delayed for several years.

Nowadays, when choosing a wife, one can only choose from those from humble families.

After Xie Qi left, Madam Xie sighed deeply again.

"Madam, please don't sigh. You're not feeling well."

"How could I not know? But marriage is a big deal, and the thought of my son having to suffer makes my heart ache."

The son is so outstanding, but for the sake of the Xie family, he can only marry a woman from a humble background.

Madam Xie thought about it and felt depressed.

"Who says otherwise? Just now, when the princess and the young master were standing together, I thought they were a perfect couple."

As Madam Xie recalled the princess's appearance, she couldn't help but nod in agreement.

"The princess is indeed beautiful and has a good temperament; she's not spoiled at all. If she weren't..."

Madam Xie shook her head, indicating that there was no need to say anything more.

Pei Zhi is a princess, and as a princess, it's impossible for her to marry into the Xie family.

Pei Zhi returned to the palace with the gifts.

He first went to pay his respects to the Empress, who kept Pei Zhi for a few words before letting him rest.

Inside Consort Lin's palace, Pei Zhi looked at the servants standing outside the hall and realized that Consort Lin had a guest today.

"The Empress said that once the princess returns, she should immediately dress up and go to see the guests."

Upon hearing the palace maid's words, Pei Zhi secretly guessed that today's visitor must be related to her.

After much thought, marriage seemed to be the only option left.

Once Pei Zhi understood the situation, she was no longer in a hurry.

After getting ready, Pei Zhi deliberately put on the jade pendant that Old Master Xie had given her. After hanging it up, she straightened her clothes before going to pay her respects to Consort Lin.

Pei Zhi's guess was correct; the guest at Consort Lin's place was none other than Lady Hou, whom she had greeted at the previous banquet.

Before Pei Zhi arrived, the two of them seemed to have a very pleasant conversation.

After Pei Zhi paid her respects, Consort Lin asked her to sit down next to her.

"I only have one daughter, and I always pamper her."

Upon hearing this, Lady Hou covered the smile on her lips with her handkerchief. Although she was disdainful in her heart, she nodded in agreement.

If he truly loved his daughter, he wouldn't be sitting here with her, discussing marrying her off to her widower brother.